Chavis starts at second with García, Vargas both healing

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Michael Chavis made the Nationals’ Opening Day roster because of his positional versatility, the club wanted to make sure it had another player on its bench who could handle multiple infield positions if needed.

Chavis’ presence is coming in handy tonight, because with both Luis García an Ildemaro Vargas banged up, the 27-year-old is getting the start at second base for the Nats’ series opener against the Angels.

García, who is dealing with tightness in his right hamstring, went through early running drills to test his leg out. He didn’t appear to have any problems, but he also didn’t appear to be running at 100 percent. He’s not in the lineup for the third straight day, though he did participate in batting practice.

Vargas, who jammed his left shoulder making a diving play at second base during the first inning Sunday in Colorado, was able to finish out the game but admitted he was sore and was having trouble reaching for throws. He was set to meet with doctors this afternoon before learning about his availability for the game.

“I got real nervous,” Vargas said, via interpreter Octavio Martinez. “I’ve never felt anything like that on my shoulder. In the moment, I grabbed it and kind of tugged on it. I don’t know if I adjusted it or not, but I gave it a good tug. Today, it’s just stiff.”

With left-hander Jose Suarez starting for the Angels, manager Davey Martinez might have considered starting the right-handed Chavis at second base regardless. He’s 3-for-10 with one RBI so far, having made three starts.

The question is whether García or Vargas would be available to come off the bench tonight if needed.

“As of right now, not really sure,” said bench coach Tim Bogar, who handled pregame media responsibilities because Martinez was under the weather. “They’re going through some of their evaluations. Luis, I think everybody saw him out there today running. He’s feeling better. I think he’s probably pretty close. Vargy, on the other hand, we’re just trying to figure out if his shoulder stiffens up on him, or if he can get it loose. I think he’s still going through some stuff with them. I’m hoping both of them are available tonight.”

Between these injuries, the early loss of left fielder Corey Dickerson to a calf strain and various matchup decisions, the Nationals have yet to use the same batting order more than once through 11 games. That’s not necessarily the way any team would prefer to enter a season, but Bogar is trying to view it with more of a glass-half-full mindset.

“I think having different lineups early in the season is actually a good thing,” the bench coach said. “I think most teams go through it. They’re trying to get guys involved and keep them sharp early in the season, and then let the dust settle a little bit.

“We’ve been able to do that because it’s kind of been forced on us a little bit. But I think everybody getting quality at-bats is going to keep them in a better position to be successful. Ultimately, who knows, by the end of the month hopefully we’ll have that right-handed lineup and left-handed lineup and we’ll be good to go.”